A comedic love triangle with a canine twist is the perfect theater fare to capture one's heart on a Valentine's Day weekend. So take your true love [or your very best non-canine friend] and head for the Black Box Theatre on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Morris for performance of A. R. Gurney's Sylvia. The production runs February 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 15.
Set in Manhattan, Sylvia follows the lives of Kate and Greg, a middle-aged married couple who have just moved back to the city. Just as these empty nesters are settling into their new lives, a sassy, younger "woman" appears and threatens to drive a wedge between Kate and Greg's 22-year marriage. Will Greg be forced to choose between his wife and his new found "love"- his dog, Sylvia? Will puppy love rule the day or will the long-held institution of marriage prevail? Find out in this comic valentine that has been a hit regionally and in New York City, where it starred Sex in the City's Sarah Jessica Parker.
Taking the directorial reigns for Sylvia is Siobhan Bremer, UMM assistant professor of theater, who was drawn to the lighter, romantic aspects of the play:
"Last season was great for UMM; we raised a lot of serious issues with productions like Medea and The Laramie Project. I thought this year we should lighten things up a bit," said Bremer. "Sylvia is a very fun, romantic play that does a great job of raising some big issues in a subtle way. It makes a statement but surrounds it with laugh-out-loud humor. Plus, it's a perfect show for Valentine's Day weekend."
The close-knit cast of Sylvia includes Maggie Alexander (Hastings) in the title role, Nick Menzhuber (St. Joseph) as Greg, Allison Friedly (Ortonville) as Kate, and Tim Hellendrung (New Ulm) in a variety of comedic roles. Assisting Bremer are assistant director/stage manager Tiffany Roufs (Loretto) and assistant stage manager Jolaine Jennissen (Brandon).
Tap Payne, professor of theater, will serve as set and lighting designer for the production, as well as its technical director. Sylvia will also utilize the skills of Sara VanBenschoten (Howard Lake), a senior theater major who will the costumes as her senior theater project. The production team also includes sound designer Genesis Hill (Alexandria), props master Andrea Pletsch (Belle Plaine), and co-lighting designer Jeni Long (Duluth). Mike Cihak (Barnesville), UMM senior media resources producer, will serve as the production's media consultant and will help supervise Sylvia's multi-media components.
Sylvia performs Thursday through Saturday, February 13-15, at 7:30 p.m. with an additional Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre of Humanities Fine Arts. Ticket prices are $5 general admission and $4 for students and senior citizens; special rates are available for groups of six or more. Free convenient parking is available evenings and weekends in all UMM lots. Sylvia contains a few instances of adult humor including language that may be deemed inappropriate for young children.
For additional information or advanced ticket sales, call the Box Office at (320) 589-6249 or email thrpub@morris.umn.edu.
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Last Modified Tuesday, February 01, 2005
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